Dorothy Griffin Groesbeck

Dorothy Griffin Groesbeck, 90, of Manhattan, died Monday December 25, 2006, at The Woodlands, Texas. She was born July 29, 1916 at Marysville, KS, the daughter of Walter T. and Nelle Williams Griffin. In 1932 they moved to Topeka, KS where Walter Griffin was Kansas assistant Attorney General. She was a graduate of Topeka High School and attended Washburn University until her marriage to Arthur J. Groesbeck, Jr. on February 13, 1937, in First Presbyterian Church, Topeka. Her husband, Arthur J. Groesbeck, Jr., preceded her in death on October 8, 1989. She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Alan Coghlan of Woodland Hills, CA and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mary Inez and Jack Geoffroy, of Seattle, WA. Also surviving are her children: Arthur J. Groesbeck III, Pattaya, Thailand; Douglas Griffin Groesbeck and Carlene Slater, Stillwater, OK; Alan Walter and Kathryn Groesbeck, Topeka, KS; and Deborah Groesbeck & Robert W. Conklin, The Woodlands, TX. Surviving grandchildren are Eli J. Groesbeck, Overland Park, KS; Darcy K. Groesbeck, Baltimore, MD; Raleigh J. Groesbeck, Topeka, KS; Alison Groesbeck Conklin, The Woodlands, TX and Kurt G. Groesbeck, Monroe, NC as well as one great-grandson, Gavin Michael Groesbeck. Mrs. Groesbeck was a homemaker. Memberships have included Chapter FK.P.E.O., Konza Rotary Club, Manhattan Library Foundation Board, Manhattan Library Association, Mercy Community Health Foundation Board, First United Methodist Church, Manhattan Country Club, Riley County Historical Society, Friends of Sunset Zoo, Manhattan Arts Council, Producers Club of KTWU, and Riley County Senior Service Center Board. Honors received were Phi Delta Kappa Appreciation Award, honorary member Delta Kappa Gamma, "Who's Who of American Women", "Who's Who in America", "Who's Who in the Midwest", and Life Member of PTA. Mrs. Groesbeck served on the Manhattan Board of Education for eight years and then was elected to the first elected Kansas Board of Education in 1968 and served for twelve years. Other volunteer activities were Riley County Republican precinct committeewoman, Riley County Republican vice-chairman, member Kansas Republican State Committee, Brownie leader, Cub Scout leader, CASA, president of Eugene Field PTA, Junior High PTA and High School PTA, Wharton Manor, March of Dimes chairman, United Fund Women's Chairman, Mercy Regional Health Center volunteer. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday January 2, 2007 at 10:30 AM at United Methodist Church in Manhattan with Reverends Jim Reed and Moon-Hee Chung officiating. Inurnment in Mt. Hope Chapel Garden Mausoleum, Topeka, KS will be at a later date. Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com. Memorial may be made to Manhattan Public Library or Meadowlark Hills and left in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS. 66502. Dorothy Groesbeck